Police Chief Cuyler gave both the Animal Control and Police Department reports for the month of September 2017.

Fire Chief Riner stated October will be a busy month with fire drills, the fair, bike ride and the parade. Also, October is Fire Safety Month and his staff will be visiting schools as well as hosting groups at the fire station. Fire Chief Riner then discussed Hurricane Irma, which hit Sandersville on September 11th.

Electric Director Poole stated his crews and the other departments did a great job during Hurricane Irma and he thanked the other departments for their help. He added that the electric department does not pick and choose whose power gets back on first. There is a system to it; they have to start with the main feeders and then work their way to the service lines. Electric Director Poole added crews from Camden, South Carolina and Norcross, Georgia provided mutual aid to help restore electric services to customers and he expressed a big thank you to both cities for their assistance. Electric Director Poole noted his crews are now working on preparations for the Kaolin Festival.

Public Works Director Eubanks stated his crews did a great job working together and with other departments during Hurricane Irma. He stated he has a bid award on the regular agenda for milling and resurfacing Winchester Way and South Smith Street. This project will be paid for with 2015 LMIG funding. Public Works Director stated he obtained bids for the removal of storm debris. The two local bidders came in at the same price of $1,800.00 per day. Council Member Brown recommended awarding the bid to both local contractors for 5 days each instead of one contractor for 10 days. The Council Members then discussed and instructed Public Works Director Eubanks to make sure the contractors split the routes and that they are getting the work done. Public Works Eubanks added that one of the knuckle boom trucks is in the shop for repairs but he other truck will also be working on the routes.

Council Member Dennis then discussed the Kaolin Festival being moved from downtown to the old Sandersville Elementary school. She would like to see the Kaolin Festival moved back to the downtown area.

Public Works Director Eubanks stated he received quotes today for (7) park benches and (4) garbage cans to be placed in the Thiele Park. The lowest quote is from Tree Top Products in the amount of $7,748.52. This item is not on the agenda but he would like for this quote to be awarded during the regular session.

Public Works Director Eubanks stated he received a quote from Templeton and Associates in the amount of $6,270.00 for a return sludge pump to be used at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. This item is not on the agenda but he would like for this quote to be awarded during the regular session as well.

Building Official Larson stated he attended the stakeholder’s breakfast at Washington State Prison. Also, he is still working with City Attorney Wynne on the conveyance of Loos Road.

City Clerk Brown stated there is a voting services agreement on the regular agenda for approval. The City already has this agreement in place but the County would like for all of the cities to be on the same term so they have asked the City to readopt the agreement.

City Administrator Report:

City Administrator McCorkle briefly went over the regular agenda items. She then discussed the 2017 proposed millage rate of 5.775 mills with the Mayor and Council Members. They all agreed that although no one likes a tax increase, that it will be necessary to maintain the level of services that City provides to its citizens. The millage rate will be advertised and 3 public hearings will be held before the millage rate is officially adopted by the Council.

Council Reports:

Mayor Andrews stated there were two tragic accidents last week in which 3 people were killed. He asked that everyone keep Sylvester Hooks and his family and also the Lamon family in their thoughts and prayers. Mayor Andrews and the Council Members thanked the City staff for their hard work during and following Hurricane Irma.

Council Member Watts stated he attended his first meeting on the Washington County Recreation Board.

Council Member Brown reminded everyone about the trash amnesty day on October 21st.

Other Business:

Charles Lee, Executive Director of the Washington County Development Authority, gave an economic development activity report through September 2017. Mr. Lee state he will be retiring by the end of the year and introduced his successor, Jayson Johnson. Mr. Lee invited the Mayor, Council Members, and city staff to their open house on Thursday, October 5th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Council Members thanked Charles Lee for his service to the community and stated they look forward to working with Jayson Johnson in the future.